José Caballero's two-run homer proved to be the difference-maker as the New York Yankees edged the Chicago Cubs 2-1 on Sunday.
Gerrit Cole pitched into the sixth inning, allowing one run on four hits in his 13th start since coming back from Tommy John surgery. He struck out five and walked three. The right-hander's outing was highlighted by a bases-loaded situation in the sixth, which he escaped thanks to a fly out from Nico Hoerner.
Cole's performance set the stage for the Yankees' bullpen to take over. Relievers Brent Headrick, Paul Blackburn, and David Bednar combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings to secure the win. Bednar earned his 24th save, working around a walk in the ninth to seal the victory.
Caballero, who added a single, ended an 18-game drought without going deep with his 408-foot drive against the wind to left-center in the third. The homer gave New York a 2-0 lead, which they would carry into the fourth. Seiya Suzuki led off the inning with a double, then scored on Michael Busch's single to cut it to 2-1.
Colin Rea (8-8) took the loss for the Cubs, allowing two runs on three hits. He struck out seven, including the first five Yankees hitters, and walked one. Suzuki finished with two hits for Chicago, including a double.
The win marked the Yankees' second of the series, taking two of three at Wrigley Field. The Cubs, meanwhile, begin a new series against the Dodgers on Monday. Left-hander Matthew Boyd (6-1, 3.141 ERA) gets the start as Chicago looks to bounce back from the loss.
The Yankees, meanwhile, head to the Bronx to face the Cardinals on Monday. Right-hander Cam Schlittler (10-6, 2.04) starts against Cardinals right-hander Michael McGreevy (4-9, 3.57).
Source: Yahoo Sports